Drive types compared
Screw drive vs hydraulic home lifts
Quick answer
Our Atlus (screw drive) and Vector Pro (hydraulic) share the same 400 kg, 5 person load and the same cabin options, up to 1100 × 1350 mm. The real difference is how they move.
Neither needs a machine room. Choose screw drive if a shallow pit and no oil matter most: the Atlus needs just 50 to 150 mm and is a fully contained system with a backup battery drive. Choose hydraulic for a proven, smooth ride with published travel of up to 10 m and 4 stops on the Vector Pro.
Side by side
Screw drive (Atlus) vs Hydraulic (Vector Pro)
| Feature | Screw drive (Atlus) | Hydraulic (Vector Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A motor turns a long threaded screw. A nut on the car travels up and down it. | A pump pushes oil into a cylinder and a ram raises the car. It lowers under its own weight. |
| Pit | 50 to 150 mm (low to no pit option). | 120 mm. |
| Machine room | None. Fully contained screw system. | None. The pump fits in a small cupboard. |
| Oil | None. Fully contained screw system. | Hydraulic oil in a sealed system with a leak-proof ram. No oil smell. |
| Speed | 0.15 to 0.30 m/s. | 0.25 m/s. |
| Travel and stops | Up to 12 m and 5 stops. | Up to 10 m and 4 stops. |
| Headroom | 2300 mm (reduced headroom model 2100 mm). | 2300 mm (reduced headroom model 2100 mm). |
| Load and cabin | 400 kg (5 person). Cabins 750 × 700 to 1100 × 1350 mm, bespoke sizing. | 400 kg (5 person). Cabins 750 × 700 to 1100 × 1350 mm, bespoke sizing. |
| Power | Single phase 230VAC, with a backup battery drive. | Single phase 230VAC. Around 14 A depending on configuration. |
| Noise | Minimal. Fully contained system. | One of the quietest hydraulic lifts in the Australian market: 42 dB measured on our showroom unit. |
| Maintenance | Minimal. No oil mess. | Regular servicing, including oil level and seals. |
| Glass and controls | Full glass tower available. Touch screen standard. | Smart cabin touch panel. Swing doors (manual standard, automatic options). |
Both are built to AS 1735, wheelchair friendly, come with a Factory backed 5 Year Parts Warranty and typically install in 1 to 2 weeks once the site is ready.
What makes a screw drive different
A screw drive lift has no ropes, counterweight or hydraulic oil. An electric motor turns a threaded screw, and the car climbs or descends along it. Because the drive is self-contained in the lift tower, screw drives are well suited to retrofits where digging a deep pit or finding room for a pump unit is hard.
The Atlus uses a thicker screw pitch and lead for a smoother ride, and its battery backup drive keeps it working through a power cut.
Where hydraulic still shines
Hydraulic lifts have a long track record and a famously gentle start and stop. A hydraulic system is forgiving where a building is not perfectly square, and the Vector Pro’s published travel of up to 10 m and 4 stops covers most multi-level homes.
Modern hydraulic design has moved on too. The Vector Pro’s submerged worm screw hydraulic motor makes it one of the quietest hydraulic lifts in the Australian market, its pump needs only a small cupboard with no machine room, and its leak-proof ram is built for zero leaks, spills or odours.
Our range
The two Lift Ease models side by side
Same load, same cabin sizes, different drive. Open each model for full specifications.
Screw drive
- Atlus Electric hybrid screw drive
400 kg (5 person), 0.15 to 0.30 m/s, up to 12 m travel and 5 stops, 50 to 150 mm pit. No oil, battery backup drive. Machine-room-less.
Hydraulic
- Vector Pro Hydraulic
400 kg (5 person), 0.25 m/s, up to 10 m travel and 4 stops, 120 mm pit. Submerged worm screw hydraulic motor: no machine room, just a small pump cupboard.
Also screw drive (hydraulic variant available)
- RB150 Electric screw drive · hydraulic variant
Platform access lift for homes, schools, clinics and public buildings. Lifting height 600 to 3,000 mm, DDA compliant, minimal construction. Single phase 230VAC.
Want a fully custom luxury cabin instead? The Zenith Ultra uses a near-silent electric belt drive. Vector Pro vs Zenith Ultra →
Choosing
Which is right for you?
Choose screw drive (Atlus) if
- Your floor can only take a shallow pit of 50 to 150 mm.
- You don’t want any oil in the home.
- You want battery backup built into the drive.
- You’d like a full glass tower as a design feature.
Choose hydraulic (Vector Pro) if
- You need up to 4 stops or up to 10 m of travel.
- You want the gentle start and stop hydraulic lifts are known for.
- You can spare a small cupboard for the pump. No machine room is needed.
- You want an ultra-compact footprint with Italian inspired design.
Still deciding? Visit our Keilor East showroom or book a free site visit, and get a free quote in 24 hours.
Common misconceptions
Myths debunked
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Myth A home lift needs a deep pit.
Fact Most modern home lifts need only a shallow pit. The Vector Pro needs just 120 mm, the Atlus 50 to 150 mm and the Zenith Ultra 150 to 300 mm, and the Levare Compact and Levare Plus need no pit or shaft at all.
-
Myth Hydraulic lifts are noisy and smell of oil.
Fact Not a modern design like the Vector Pro, one of the quietest hydraulic lifts in the Australian market: our showroom unit measured 42 dB. Its submerged worm screw hydraulic motor runs with no loud noise, and its leak-proof ram design means zero leaks, spills or odours, so there is no oil smell.
-
Myth If the power goes out, you are stuck.
Fact Home lifts have a battery backup that brings the car to the nearest landing and opens the door. The Atlus also has a backup battery drive.
FAQs
Questions we get asked
Is a screw drive lift slower than a hydraulic lift?
Not by much at home-lift speeds. The Atlus runs at 0.15 to 0.30 m/s and the Vector Pro at 0.25 m/s, so the top Atlus speed is slightly faster.
Which needs a smaller pit, screw drive or hydraulic?
The Atlus screw drive needs just 50 to 150 mm. The hydraulic Vector Pro needs 120 mm.
Do screw drive lifts need oil?
Not for the drive. The Atlus is a fully contained screw system with no oil mess and reduced maintenance requirements.
Can I get the same cabin in both?
Yes. The Atlus and Vector Pro share the same load (400 kg, 5 person), door, cabin and sizing options, including cabins up to 1100 × 1350 mm and complete bespoke sizing.
Which is better for a retrofit?
Both are retrofitted into existing homes. The Atlus is often the easier fit where a deep pit or a pump location is hard to find, thanks to its 50 to 150 mm pit and fully contained drive.
What happens in a power cut?
Home lifts have a battery backup that brings the car to the nearest landing and opens the door. The Atlus also has a backup battery drive.
Do you use screw drive and hydraulic anywhere else?
Yes. Our RB150 platform access lift uses an electric screw drive as standard, with a hydraulic variant available. Both suit a low-duty access lift.
Talk to a lift specialist
Tell us about your home and we’ll recommend the right lift. Free quote in 24 hours.